In 2023, we started collecting art supplies in good condition for a project we called Open Art Supply. We planned to assemble them into kits and distribute them to individuals with little access to the tools essential for experimentation, play and creation. We believe everybody has the right to engage in the life-giving practice of making art.
Thanks to those that donated art supplies and to the local businesses that generously agreed to be drop off locations, we were able to collect enough supplies to make 350 art kits at our July 2023 kit built event. The kits from this first iteration of Open Art Supply were distributed all over the city by 9 peer organizing groups, most of which work with unhoused folks. We’re grateful for the 40+ attendees who gave their time and effort to make this event and effort possible. There are 4 free store collaborators that you can still drop off supplies with and shop free art supplies from, check out the map.
UPDATE (July 2024) Since assembling another batch of art kits in January of 2024, this project has been on a little hiatus, but we are still accepting donations so that we can gear up to make more art kits. Contribute funds by Venmo-ing @fortheunderdog or using our donation platform and including ‘Open Art Supply’ in the message. If you are interested in helping with this project, glance over our starter toolkit, hop onto the Discord and post a message in the Open Art Supply channel.
A big THANK YOU to our 12 partnering businesses that hosted donation boxes, serving as public locations around the city for people to drop their supply donations off at for the July 2023 event!
Scoops Torrance, Remainders, Freestyle Photo LA, DMST Atelier, Crush + Touch Art Supply, Art Space HP, Blue Rooster Art Supplies, Leanna Lin’s Wonderland, Fab Lab at the Altadena Library, 18th St Arts Center, Geeky Teas & Games, Studious Coworking Space
Open Art Supply is a project of Mutual Aid LA Network in collaboration with Broad Room, who accepted us to be a part of their California Art Supply Mutual Aid Training Program Cohort
Mutual Aid LA Network 
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